by Anthology
“Honestly, Rasheed.” Jack crossed his arms and tsked. “If this is how you approach your prince with a duel, it’s no wonder he’s undefeated.”
Rasheed clenched his fists and marched three steps forward before stretching skyward, his fingers gnarled with purpose. Gold and amber tendrils of smoke twirled high, then dove for Jack’s mouth. The air magic rushed into his lungs, but Jack waved away the troublesome attempt to suffocate him, dissipating the yellow mist.
“That won’t work with me,” he informed the seething Vamsyrian. But he refused to elaborate on how he was immune to his own elements, as any one of his kind was. He really had thought fighting Rasheed on the battlefield would be a challenge, but the vampire used parlor tricks and childish attempts at demonstrating power. He was a brute with magic and lacked the finesse necessary to be deadly in a duel. The vampire also couldn’t see the magic being wielded, so Jack had that advantage as well. He almost felt sorry for Rasheed…almost.
Though Jack didn’t command the power of the earth, the loose stones were excellent projectiles to hurl with air. He raised his left hand, lifting a small boulder, then twisted his shoulders and shoved his right palm forward, thrusting the stone at Rasheed. The vampire blocked the incoming rock with a gust of green waves, yet Jack continued a succession of the same movements, lifting and flinging—one, two, three, four more rocks at the vampire.
As hoped, the Vamsyrian was caught off guard. He blocked the first two, but the third slammed his chest and the fourth deflected off the side of his face. The crunch of bones crackled around the arena, and Rasheed glared at Jack through a bloodied eye and caved-in cheekbone.
His sunken chest expanded back into place. His immortal regeneration healed him within seconds, leaving his face wet and crimson. Rasheed spit blood onto the ground and wiped his mouth.
The vampire’s hands gripped the wooden bench before him and, with a growl, he tore the wood into splinters. In a flash, Rasheed collided with Jack. In one hand, he clutched Jack’s throat. The excruciating slice in his side told him the vampire had buried at least one of the wooden pieces into his flesh.
“Jack!” Aideen’s desperate cry faded under the pounding of his heart in his ears.
“I’m through playing with my food, little cusper.” Rasheed gnashed his teeth and gave the stake an extra shove.
Jack grunted.
“Looks like you lose,” Rasheed whispered, and his cheek smeared his immortal blood against Jack’s face.
Jack wove his shaking fingers through the vampire’s hair, cradling his head in his hands…and smiled through the pain.
Rasheed gasped. His eyes grew wide. His mouth dropped open. And his flesh turned blue before frosting over and misting.
The vampire’s fingers snapped off his hands as Jack dislodged himself from Rasheed’s cold grip, staggering away from the frozen Vamsyrian. Yanking the wooden post from his ribs, Jack bellowed as searing, jagged spikes seemed to rake along his blood-soaked side. With his last ounce of defiance, he shoved his boot through the Vamsyrian, shattering him to a million pieces. They skittered across the courtyard and melted into crimson chunks, staining the dirt.
Jack smirked, collapsing to the ground. He never imagined he would be one of the deaths Lord Jensen mentioned. Jack turned his eyes to catch one last glimpse of his beloved fire witch before he succumbed to the tempting blackness.
7
Aideen screeched and sprinted forward, sliding across the fine dirt on her knees. Cradling Jack’s limp form in her lap, she covered his gushing wound with her hands. Tears rushing down her cheeks, she twisted to peer over her shoulder. “Help!”
Whether vampire or werewolf stomped up the stairs, she didn’t care. They’d orchestrated this elaborate plan to return Jack into their hands. Surely they wouldn’t let him die.
Instead, Brian and Dylana rushed through the door.
Aideen nearly sobbed at their friendly faces. “Hurry, he’s bleeding so much!”
Dylana skidded to a halt and turned around. “I’ll get the vampire blood!” She dashed back down the stairwell.
Brian quickly assessed Jack’s wounds. Snatching the woolen scarf from around Aideen’s neck, he bunched the cloth and pressed it to the gash in Jack’s side.
Jack hissed and groaned.
“Don’t move, Frost,” Brian said. “Hold him still, Aideen.”
She pulled his head to her chest, her fingers against his forehead.
Dylana bolted to their side and popped off the cork of a large glass vial filled with thick red liquid. Brian pulled the soaked scarf away from Jack’s side and ripped open his shirt. Jack cried out when Brian pried his shredded flesh apart and Dylana dribbled the immortal blood into his wound. Within moments, the skin closed and pushed out splinters of wood before it sealed as if it had never been marred.
Jack drew deep breaths, sagging with relief. “Gods, that was unbearable!” He collapsed against Aideen with a groan.
“And I had a bitch of a time killing that werewolf bastard, Lorn.” Brian shook his head. “You’re an infant.”
Jack glared and Dylana chuckled.
Aideen grabbed a handful of Jack’s hair and yanked his head back to cover his mouth with hers. Through his muffled laughter, he returned the kiss with as much fire as she gave.
Aideen laid her palm against his bloodied cheek. “I thought I was going to lose you.” She slapped his shoulder and shoved him from her lap.
He grunted and chuckled.
“What on earth made you challenge that maniac to a duel?” She shot to her feet and paced, the rush of anger replacing her relief and fear.
“I had to get my bindings off, Spark.” Still reclined on the floor, he laced his hands behind his head and crossed his legs at the ankles, the smile on his face a complete contrast to the red stain covering his left side. “It was the only way for me to be able to use my powers against him. Once I was free, I had to wait for the opportunity to get him into my grasp. I wouldn’t have been able to freeze him fast enough at a distance.” He chuckled again. “I didn’t think he stab me, though.” Jack sat up and rubbed his side.
Aideen dropped to her knees once more and seared him with another kiss.
Hugh approached and cleared his throat. “Some of the werewolves were promised immortality.”
Jack stood and helped Aideen to her feet. “Yes, we know. That was part of the reason why we had to come here. There was no convincing them to side with us.”
“Did you learn why they were being converted, though?” Hugh crossed his arms.
Aideen and Jack shook their heads.
“To create more nurseries.”
“I had assumed,” Jack said. “I’m glad we stopped them.”
“Not only stopped them.” Hugh handed Jack a rolled piece of parchment. “We now have documents detailing all the nurseries—their locations, the names of the Elementals, family trees, everything. We forced the vampires to talk. Elwin and Priscilla confessed that Rasheed had all this information with them because he was studying where they were going to expand.”
Jack grinned as he studied the page he’d unrolled. “This must be the information Esme and Jensen spoke of. They said we would gain an advantage we never before possessed.”
“Unfortunately, it was at the price of two lives.” Sorrow softened Hugh’s eyes. “Two Elementals named Cora and Baldwin were both killed during the struggle.”
Aideen choked back her tears.
“Mama!”
She whipped around and nearly fell over from the momentum. Quinton and Morgen ran across the courtyard and flung themselves into her waiting arms. She sobbed and hugged them so tight they complained. She pecked wet kisses across their pudgy cheeks and clutched their hair to hold them still.
Aron strolled over, his arms crossed and a smile on his face as he waited his turn. Aideen grabbed his hand and pulled him into their laughing pile of bodies.
The deep rumble of Jack’s laughter brought her back to their surroundings
. Aideen righted her boys and lined them up, kissing each of their cheeks. Finally standing behind them, she beamed at the man of her heart. “Boys, this is Jack.”
A muscle in Jack’s jaw ticked, betraying the emotions he held at bay. His ice-blue eyes grew glassy, and he cleared his throat. He took one step forward and extended his hand to Morgen. “I’m very honored to meet you, sir.”
Aideen peered around to view her youngest son’s face. The corner of his mouth quirked, and he brushed his hand against Jack’s fingers before turning his face into Aideen’s thigh, hiding. She giggled and held him close. Jack’s eyes twinkled.
Jack side-stepped to her middle son. “And am I right in guessing you are Quinton?”
He nodded with a bright grin and shook Jack’s hand.
“I’m very pleased to meet you.” Once Jack finished shaking hands with Quinn, he stepped in front of her eldest. “And you must be Aron.” His words whispered out of his mouth.
Aron ignored Jack’s hand and threw himself into his father’s arms. Jack clung to his son and pressed his cheek to his raven head.
Aideen covered her mouth as hot tears streamed down her face.
Jack kissed Aron’s brow before he directed his attention to Aideen’s youngest boys and knelt in front of them. “I know I might not be your father in blood, but if you’ll have me, I’ll be the best father I can be to both of you.”
Quinton nodded excitedly and gazed up at Aideen for approval. She caressed his cheek.
“Hey, Frost!” Brian poked his head through the doorway to the stairwell. Aideen had been so wrapped up in her emotions, she hadn’t noticed he left.
Jack stood and inclined his head.
“Everyone is out of the nursery and the wagons are loaded.”
“Thanks!” Jack flipped a casual salute.
“We get to wide in a wagon?”
Aideen gasped. Those were the first words Morgen had uttered in over two months.
Jack knelt before him again and grinned. “Would you like to ride in a wagon?”
“I want to pet dah huwses.” He grinned.
“Absolutely.” He accepted Morgen’s chubby hand and as they walked ahead, Jack glanced over his shoulder and winked at Aron, who nodded in approval.
Aideen was a slobbering mess of happiness. Aron shook his head and wrapped his arm around her waist. Quinton fell in step at her other side and she scrunched them to her body until they protested.
“Why did dat man caw you Fwost?”
Jack plucked Morgen from the ground and rested Aideen’s son…his son…on his hip. “They call me Frost because I can do this…” Jack fluttered his fingers in front of Morgen’s curious face. Blue sparkles and yellow wisps swirled upward into the sky. Jack paused and turned toward the open courtyard…where snow floated to the ground and filled the air with a crisp, white haze. Morgen burst into giggles and reached to catch the flakes pouring down upon them.
“So your name is Jack Frost?” Quinton asked.
Elementals born in captivity weren’t given last names; another way the vampires dehumanized them, but Jack grinned and winked at Aideen. “Aye, Quinton. My name is Jack Frost.”
His smiled dropped into a frown and he set Morgen on the ground. Stepping in front of Aideen, he pinched the metal ring round her neck between his thumbs and forefingers and it groaned. He snapped the metal, then did the same for the shackles on her wrists. Jack tossed the bindings to the snow-dusted ground and returned Morgen to his arms. Kissing Aideen’s cheek, he cocked a grin.
“Let’s go home, Mrs. Frost.” His warm breath caressed her cheek.
Aideen melted under his smoldering gaze. Pulling her sons along with her, she followed behind Jack and Morgen.
Yes…they would all finally go home.
The End
About Arial Burnz
Arial Burnz writes HOT Scottish vampires and fantastical fantasy & paranormal worlds with strong romantic elements. She lives in Southern California with her Romance Novel Hero, DeWayne, and their magical mutt, Zeddicus Drool Zorander. Join Arial’s VIP Club for vampire freebies and short stories at http://arialburnz.com
The Lady and The Dragon’s Holiday by Mandy Rosko
This dragon prince will melt your heart
Diana is still getting used to her new life. She's no longer a struggling art teacher, but now lives as a wealthy recluse with her new husband, who just so happens to be a dragon prince whom she married in a previous life. Azoth Dracamire is still getting used to living in the modern world. He doesn't understand electricity, television, or the holidays that his wife celebrates, but he is more than willing to be taught, and to find just the right gifts to give her.
1
December 31st 1:45 P.M.
Diana Winters had basically died. Twice. It was only because her husband, a dragon warrior and prince, had tried to kill her five seconds after their marriage, but that was no fault of his. He'd been poisoned with some magical potion and it had driven him insane. Apparently, Diana's uncle had wanted her and her entire family dead.
She had no memories of that event, which had happened over a thousand years ago, until very recently, when she'd come across her husband once more in the prison he'd been sent to.
They'd had a lot of fun catching up.
"You know we can hire people to do that, right?" Diana asked, holding two mugs of hot chocolate as she stared up at her husband, Azoth Dracamire.
He scoffed, brushing some of the long strands of hair out of his face. The auburn color looked good on him, and with the incredibly mild winters that happened around here, he was able to comfortably work bare chested on repairing the roof.
"I am perfectly capable of repairing our home. No human needs to lay a finger on it."
Azoth spoke as though having anyone doing anything for him would be despicable.
He never complained whenever Diana cooked for him, though. Probably because she was the better cook.
"Uh huh," she said, and her eyes zoned in on the way a thin sheen of sweat accented and highlighted his muscles. Every time he moved and stretched or hauled a new sack of shingles over his shoulder and leaped onto the roof without even using a ladder made her belly go all quivery and warm.
If dying meant having a specimen like this as her husband, lover, and protector, then it had all been so well worth it. She hadn't been that close with her friends anyway.
The second time she'd died, so to speak, was when her memories had returned after her evil uncle's death. Only then did she realize that pretty much everyone she'd known, had memories of, or friendships with had no clue who she was. The only person alive who knew her was Azoth.
No one else remembered her. The spell, cast to keep her identity safe, even from herself, had vanished.
Azoth had called it an awakening. Her memories were back, so there was no longer any need for the spell to be working on her or anyone else.
Oh, yeah, and Azoth was actually Lord Azoth. Basically, a lower ranking prince of one of the dragon clans, and Diana was a princess, which made sense if she was going to have an evil magical uncle out to kill her.
Yeah, her life had turned into a Disney movie, which had been pretty awesome after the happily-ever-after part came into effect. Apparently, even though the spell on Diana and everyone she'd ever known had worn off and she’d become homeless pretty much in seconds as an effect, she was pretty well off.
Azoth had been sentenced to prison for the supposed murder of his wife. Not just any prison, either. Even for a dragon prince, that place had seemed pretty over the top. He'd been in another Disney-esque setting, guarding mountains worth of gold and jewels that belonged to the royal dragons of his family, which had been more than enough to buy Diana and her prince a cottage off the beaten path.
The rest was pretty much just sitting back in that cave, piled high like the vault scrooge McDuck had, and since she and Azoth could now go back and forth as needed after their awesome escape, they were pretty much set for life.
&
nbsp; So, yeah, Diana had died twice, and it seemed that whenever she came back, there was always a new life just waiting for her.
This time it would really be a happily ever after. After all, what was the point of being a princess with a dragon prince for a husband if they couldn't enjoy themselves?
"Do you at least want to come down and take a break?" Diana asked, still holding onto the mugs. "It's chocolate."
Hot chocolate was an awesome tradition to share with her husband, at least there was that much, even if the snow seemed to be having trouble making an appearance.
She didn't want it to snow while her husband was fixing the roof, and she certainly hadn't wanted the snow when she realized there was a leak, but it would be nice to eventually see it before the weather warmed up.
Azoth's head immediately whipped around to stare down at her. Diana could've sworn she'd seen his pupils dilate, too.
Azoth smiled, put his hammer down, and jumped off the roof. The entire house shook a little. The icicle Christmas lights hanging from the gutters actually swayed.
He landed on the stone walkway, a gorgeous addition to their love nest, which he'd also insisted on putting in himself. The ground rumbled under their feet from the force of his fall. Yeah, he was a little more powerful than he realized at times.
"You spoil me, woman," Azoth said, a wide smile taking over his features as he accepted the largest mug.
Azoth had never had chocolate until Diana had given it to him. Since then, he'd kind of become an addict.
Of course, he could guzzle the stuff like crazy without doing any damage at all to those intensely chiseled abs.
Diana always put extra chocolate, cream, and marshmallows in his, and then would watch in envy as he drank it, while she enjoyed her watered-down hot chocolate in an attempt to keep her figure from ballooning.
